Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks joins USF athletics in big role

Brooks will have plenty of responsibility in his new role with USF. He will serve as a lead community ambassador of the University's athletic department, Football and Men's Basketball Administration, revenue generation, sports tourism strategy, enhancing student-athlete experiences, and Team Tampa Bay/local pro franchise relations.

Brooks' role seems fitting for someone with so many ties to the city, its organizations, and the sports teams located within it. Brooks has made Tampa his home and has a passion for making it one of the best sports cities in the country. Outside of the obvious ties, the decision to move to USF shouldn't come as a shock, as his daughter, DaNia, currently plays infield for the softball team.

In a statement released by USF, Brooks couldn't contain his excitement for joining the Bulls' family.

"There is no better time to be a Bull!" Brooks said. "The University of South Florida has long held a special place in my heart and for my family, most recently as huge supporters of our daughter DaNia and her teammates on the reigning American Conference Tournament champion softball team. I cannot think of a university or an athletics department with brighter futures than ours, and I am ready to get to work and excited to join Rob, his staff, and the tremendous student-athletes and coaches who make USF Athletics a one-of-one college athletic department. As Rob likes to say: 'All Gas. No Brakes. No Regrets. No Excuses.'  And I'll just add: Go Bulls!"

Brooks, in typical fashion, seems ecstatic to take on this new opportunity to help build USF Athletics to a place where it can compete and grow with the best. University of South Florida CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins also expressed his gratitude for Brooks and his new role.

"We have committed to Bulls Nation to build something special here in USF Athletics to best serve our student-athletes, coaches, faculty, alumni and fans," Higgins said. "Derrick Brooks has been a pillar of Team Tampa Bay for the last 30 years and a leader in the state of Florida his entire life. We have been fortunate to work with Derrick many times over the last two decades, including bringing the Super Bowl to Tampa and hosting that event. We could not be more excited to welcome his passion, energy and expertise at USF Athletics as our new COO. He's the ultimate role model for our student-athletes."

Brooks seems to be the perfect fit for the position for USF, and based on all the success that we have seen him have both on and off the field, there is no reason not to believe that he won't help elevate the athletics at USF.